Applying quality improvement methods to neglected conditions: Development of the South Asia Burn Registry (SABR)

Objective: South Asia has the highest mortality rate from burns in the world. Application of quality improvement methods to burn care can help identify health system gaps. Our overall aim is to introduce a sustainable hospital-based burn registry for resource-constrained settings to assess health outcomes of burn injury patients presenting to dedicated burn injury centers in South Asia.Results: The South Asia Burn Registry (SABR) is implemented through collaborative approach in selected burn centers in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Th registry collects data on burn injury events, the care provided, and the functional status of patients at discharge from burn centers. It covers the entire spectrum of care provision for burn injury patients from the actual event through their discharge from the healthcare system. SABR investigates locally relevant contextual factors associated with burn injury and health-system requirements for burn patients receiving emergency and inpatient care in resource-constrained settings. It also explores factors associated with burn injury and care provision. SABR will inform better prevention and management efforts in South Asia and help to address healthcare needs of burn injury patients

Burns in South Asia: Outcomes from South Asian burn registry (SABR)

Background: South Asian region contributes 59 % to the global mortality due to burns. However, we find a paucity of literature on the outcomes of burns from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). South Asian Burn Registry (SABR) is a facility-based burns registry that collected data on in-patient burn care. This study assesses factors associated with mortality, length of hospital stay at the burns center, and functional status of burn patients.Methods: Prospective data was collected from two specialized public sector burn centers between September 2014 - January 2015 from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Multivariable logistic, linear, and ordinal logistic regression was conducted to assess factors associated with inpatient-mortality, length of hospital stay, and functional status at discharge, respectively.Results: Data on 883 patients was analyzed. Increased association with mortality was observed with administration of blood product (OR:3, 95 % CI:1.18-7.58) and nutritional support (OR:4.32, 95 % CI:1.55-12.02). Conversely, antibiotic regimens greater than 8 days was associated with decreased mortality (OR:0.1, 95 % CI:0.03-0.41). Associated increase in length of hospital stay was observed in patients with trauma associated with their burn injury, history of seizures (CE:47.93, 95 % CI 12.05-83.80), blood product (CE:22.09, 95 % CI:0.83-43.35) and oxygen administration (CE:23.7, 95 % CI:7.34-40.06). Patients who developed sepsis (OR:6.89, 95 % CI:1.92-24.73) and received blood products during hospitalization (OR:2.55, 95 % CI:1.38- 4.73) were more likely to have poor functional status at discharge.Conclusion: This study identified multiple factors associated with worse clinical outcomes for burn patients in South Asia. Understanding these parameters can guide targeted efforts to improve the process and quality of burn care in LMICs

Factors associated with emergency department disposition among burn injury patients: Analysis of prehospital and emergency care characteristics using South Asia Burn Registry (SABR) data

Introduction: Improvement in burn injury data collections and the quality of databanks has allowed meaningful study of the epidemiologic trends in burn care. The study assessed factors associated with disposition of burn injury patients from emergency department accounting for pre-hospital care and emergency care.Methods: This prospective observational pilot study of the South Asia Burn Registry project was conducted at selected public sector burn centers in Bangladesh and Pakistan (September 2014 - January 2015). All age groups with an initial presentation to the burn centers were enrolled. Descriptive and regression analysis is presented.Results: A total of 2749 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 21.7 ± 18.0 years, 55.3% were males, and about a quarter were children \u3c 5 years. About 46.9% of the females were housewives. Scald burns were common among children (67.6%) while flame burns were common among adults (44.3%). About 75% of patients were brought in via non-ambulance mode of transport. More than 55% of patients were referrals from other facilities or clinics. The most common first aid given pre-hospital was the use of water or oil. About 25% were admitted for further care. The adjusted odds of being admitted compared to being sent home were highest for children \u3c 5 yrs, those with higher total body surface area burnt, having arrived via ambulance, scald and electrical burn, having an associated injury and inhalational injury.Conclusion: The study provides insight into emergency burn care and associated factors that influenced outcomes for patients with burn injuries